(CM--96) Enjoying a bowl of Tom Yum soup added with Woon Sen (glass noodle). Literally, the words "tom yum" are derived from two Tai words: "tom" and "yam". "Tom" refers to boiling process, while "yam" refers to a kind of Lao and Thai spicy and sour salad. Thus, "tom yum" is a Lao and Thai hot and sour soup. Indeed, tom yum is characterised by its distinct hot and sour flavours, with fragrant herbs generously used in the broth. The basic broth is made of stock and fresh ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed chili peppers. Tom Yum is Thai's favourite spicy lemongrass-based soup. Many other ingredients could be added to Tom Yum soup such as glass noodles, shrimp, squid, scallops, bean sprouts, straw mushroom, carrots, cabbage, celery, scallion, coriander, fried garlic and ground peanuts.
